WEDDING VENDOR CHECKLIST
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
THE WEDDING PLANNER
If you wish to make your wedding planning a lot easier you might want to consider hiring a professional and let them do all the hard work, Wedding planners are booked far in advance so book them on the early stages of the planning, I say right after you book your venue, the earlier you have them, you get the most out of their work.
THE CATERER
So assuming your venue don't already have their in-house catering services. The good caterer should be next on your list. Know what to look for, read reviews and try out some of their food before you book them. Ask for help from your planner and see if they know a good caterer they've worked with in the past. I suggest booking them 6-9 months ahead of time.
THE WEDDING OFFICIANT
Some venues provide you with a rabbi, priest or pastor. If yours does not, or you prefer choosing an officiant yourself, ask friends and family for recommendations. A great officiant can really affect the vibes of your ceremony. If you plan on writing your own wedding vows, talk to your officiant about it ahead of time because some are less accepting of this custom than others.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Your photographer should definitely make the list of vendors to book early. While there are many to choose from, the AWESOME ones get booked far in advance *wink wink*. I believe it is best to find the right person that fits your style, remember theres more to just having great images, you also need to be able to connect with them. When meeting with photographers, I suggest you make a list of what you like and expect to get from your wedding photos and find out if they are on the same page with what you want. Check out their website and ask a lot of questions!
When all of your guest have gone home, all of the food from your caterer has been consumed and all your wedding planning is done and the party is over. All that reminds you of your special day are your photographs. So choose wisely.
THE VIDEOGRAPHER
How far in advance you should book your videographer should be around the same time you book your photographer. Ask yourself, Is a wedding video very important to you? most couples consider having a videographer a luxury, so if it fits the budget, then you should consider hiring one in advance, good videographers can also be booked ahead of time.
THE BAND OR A DJ
The music at your wedding is going to play a big role in getting people out on the dance floor and having the time of their lives. Before making any big decisions, listen to their music ahead of time and discuss with them what type of music you want them playing on your big day. While it’s more than okay to hand over a list of songs to play, avoid being the DJ at your own wedding. Discuss with him/her the type of music you prefer, create a (short) list of specific songs and let the professional handle the rest. At the end of the day, if you’re out there rocking to whatever music is playing, your friends and family will be right there beside you!
P.S. I can tell you horror stories about weddings i've photographed with no band or not-so-seasoned DJ! :-D
THE BAKER
Of course, my favorite part of wedding planning is picking the wedding cake. You and your fiancé get to dedicate an afternoon to cake tasting, followed by decoration options. Visit several bakers before deciding which is the right one for you. Once you’ve found the place, book them 6 months before the wedding. Since bakers can generally prepare more than one wedding cake a day, this vendor makes the list of less time-sensitive hiring, but still you don’t want to learn that the cake you initially fell in love with won’t be available anymore.
THE FLORIST
When it comes to your florist, While the availability of florists tends to depend on the time of year, it is better to have this vendor squared away early. Once you’ve found someone and seen his/her work, talk style. If you want a certain style of bouquets or flower crowns, discuss this early.
YOUR RIDE
If you plan on providing wedding transportation wether its a limo, shuttle bus or a trolley. You will want a pleasant driver to go along with it. Make sure to look around at least a month before your big day.
*When planning your wedding, the best strategy is to book all of the important vendors as early as possible without stressing yourself out by taking on all of these tasks simultaneously.
* Create a wedding timeline that allows you to see what to tackle that month. If it will help, instead of sitting down together or taking things on yourself, split the list with your fiancé.
* Hiring your vendors early will help you feel more at ease and prepared for your big day, and it will assure you and your spouse-to-be that you get the wedding that you imagined!